Shillong, Mar 30: India U-20 women’s team head coach Joakim Alexandersson has named the Young Tigresses’ 23-member squad for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026.
India, which qualified for the tournament after 20 years, will begin their campaign with a match against Japan on 2nd April, followed by Australia three days later and Chinese Taipei (aka Taiwan) on 8th April.
The top two teams in the group and the two best third-placed teams among all three groups will make it to the quarterfinals. Further, the four quarterfinal winners will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026. The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 will be streamed live on FanCode.
The Young Tigresses arrived in Bangkok on 20th March and had 13 days to acclimatise to the local conditions. The travelling contingent comprised 24 players, with defender Alka Indwar now released as Alexandersson finalised his 23-player squad for the final tournament.
Meghalaya’s Ribansi Jamu has been named as one of three goalkeepers in the squad.
India had begun their current training camp in Bengaluru in January after the conclusion of the first phase of the IWL. Later, they had a one-month camp in Sweden, where they played five friendly matches against the senior teams of Swedish club sides. After their return from Scandinavia, the Young Tigresses continued training in Kolkata before heading to the Thailand capital.
India contingent:
Goalkeepers: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Nandini, Ribansi Jamu
Defenders: Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Nishima Kumari, Remi Thokchom, Ruchi Yadav, Sahena TH, Shubhangi Singh, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam
Midfielders: Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam, Arina Devi Nameirakpam, Bhumika Devi Khumukcham, Monisha Singha, Neha, Pooja, Shruti Kumari
Forwards: Babita Kumari, Deepika Pal, Lhingdeikim, Shilji Shaji, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Sulanjana Raul
Support staff: Joakim Alexandersson (head coach), Paromita Sit (assistant coach), Hameed KK (goalkeeping coach)
India’s fixtures:
2nd April: vs Japan, Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani, 6:30PM IST
5th April: vs Australia, Pathum Thani Stadium, Pathum Thani, 2:30PM IST
8th April: vs Chinese Taipei, Pathum Thani Stadium, Pathum Thani, 2:30PM IST
(File photo of Ribansi Jamu)
